NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Integrity Questions
1. Which response would the nurse make to a client who says, 'The voices say I'll be safe only if I stay in this room, wear these clothes, and avoid stepping on the cracks between the floor tiles'?
- A. Ask whether the voices are male or female and how many there are.
- B. Reassure the client by stating, 'I understand that these voices are real to you, but I want you to know that I don't hear them.'
- C. Offer false reassurance by saying, 'Don't worry"?I've locked the door to your room and won't let anyone in.'
- D. Encourage the client to leave the room and keep busy to distract from the voices.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The response, 'I understand that these voices are real to you, but I want you to know that I don't hear them,' demonstrates empathy and validation of the client's experience while also gently bringing in the nurse's reality. This response acknowledges the client's feelings without reinforcing the hallucinations. Asking about the characteristics of the voices (Choice A) can inadvertently validate the hallucinations. Offering false reassurance (Choice B) may not be helpful as it does not address the client's distress. Encouraging the client to leave the room and keep busy (Choice D) is nontherapeutic as it disregards the client's experience and may increase anxiety.
2. The client has a new colostomy. Which client outcome is most important for achievement of long-range goals associated with adjusting to a new colostomy?
- A. Mastery of colostomy care techniques
- B. Readiness to accept an altered body function
- C. Awareness of community resources available
- D. Understanding necessary dietary modifications
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most crucial client outcome for successful adjustment to a new colostomy is the readiness to accept an altered body function. Acceptance of changes in body image and function is essential to facilitate mastery of colostomy care techniques and optimal utilization of community resources. Without readiness to accept the altered body function, the client may not be open to learning and adopting necessary changes, hindering the achievement of long-term goals. Understanding dietary modifications, while important, is secondary to the fundamental acceptance of the altered body function in the process of adjusting to a new colostomy.
3. Which action often triggers an episode of violence or aggression in a patient with a psychiatric diagnosis involving violent behavior?
- A. Obtaining a history
- B. Asking for input into care
- C. Enforcing rules
- D. Taking a walk
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Enforcing rules is often a trigger for patients with psychiatric diagnoses involving violent behavior. Limit-setting or denying patient demands can be perceived as control and intimidation, leading to aggressive responses. Nursing staff must respond calmly and professionally to prevent escalation. Avoiding such patients or matching their emotions can worsen the situation. Therefore, enforcing rules can provoke violent episodes in these patients.
4. During the first meeting of a therapy group, members exhibit frequent periods of silence, tense laughter, and nervous movements. Which conclusion would the nurse make?
- A. The group requires an active leader who will intervene to relieve signs of obvious stress.
- B. The group process is unhealthy and there is unwillingness to openly relate.
- C. The members are displaying expected behaviors because relationships are not yet established.
- D. The behaviors should be immediately addressed so members will not become too uncomfortable.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During the initial stages of a therapy group, it is common for members to exhibit behaviors such as silence, tense laughter, and nervous movements. These behaviors indicate anxiety and insecurity due to the lack of established relationships and trust among the group members. This is a normal part of group development, and it does not necessarily mean that the group process is unhealthy. Intervening or addressing these behaviors immediately is not required as they are expected in the early stages of group interaction. As the group progresses and relationships are built, these behaviors are likely to diminish naturally without the need for active leader intervention. Therefore, the correct conclusion is that the members are displaying expected behaviors because relationships are not yet established. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because active leader intervention is not necessary, the group process is not unhealthy, and addressing the behaviors immediately is not required as they are part of the early group dynamics and are expected to subside as relationships develop.
5. Which behavior by the client exhibits denial after a recent diagnosis?
- A. Attempts to minimize the illness
- B. Lacks an emotional response to the illness
- C. Refuses to discuss the condition with the client's spouse
- D. Expresses displeasure with the prescribed activity program
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Attempts to minimize the illness.' This behavior is a classic sign of denial, where the individual tries to downplay the seriousness of the illness to cope with it. By minimizing the illness, the client avoids facing the reality of the situation, which is characteristic of denial. Lacking an emotional response to the illness suggests suppression of emotions rather than denial. Refusing to discuss the condition with the spouse may stem from other issues like relationship strain or fear of causing distress, but it doesn't directly indicate denial. Expressing displeasure with the prescribed activity program typically reflects displaced anger, not denial of the illness.
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